By Alex A. Gonzalez
Covina: Covina’s Adrian Rachal took the second-half kickoff and returned it 79 yards for the score, and Jake Duronslet added a 37-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal their 31-12 win over visiting Sierra Vista on a cool Thursday night at Covina District Field.
Covina’s defense forced two fumbles and held Sierra Vista to two first-half touchdowns. The Dons dominated time of possession but struggled to keep the Colts from answering back on the ensuing drives.
“They were moving the ball a little bit, but our defense got stops and only allowed 12 points. They have been doing that all season. Our defense helps us out every game, and that’s what they do. They work hard,” said Duronslet when discussing his team’s defense.
The Dons opened the game by orchestrating a 15-play drive that took eight minutes off the clock. Eric Terrazas, who averages over 220 yards rushing a game, ultimately capped the drive off with his only rushing score of the night.
With a failed two-point conversion by the Dons, the Colts answered right back on their ensuing possession and took the lead when Joseph Rangel reached the end zone for the touchdown, and who was also responsible for converting the 2-point conversion.
Sierra Vista was able to repeat what they did on their first possession by methodically driving down the field behind their Double-Wing T offense. This time, their drive took 18 plays with four different ball carriers.
Alexis Alonso reached pay dirt with 2:40 left in the second quarter, retaking the lead with 2:40 left in the second quarter. However, the offense failed to convert the 2-point try for the second time, which gave the Dons a four-point lead before intermission.
Their lead did not last long when the Colts took over on their next possession with the ball at their own 39 yard-line. Covina only needed six plays and two offsides penalties by Sierra Vista to retake the lead after Duronslet rolled out of the pocket and found Da-Mion Yeargin in the back corner of the end zone for the score.
Following a successful 2-point conversion, the Colts took a 16-12 lead into intermission and were set to receive the second-half kickoff.
After Rachal took the kickoff and returned it for the score, Covina’s defense was able to figure out the Dons’ complex offense and stop them from reaching the end zone again throughout the second half.
Duronslet’s rushing score came with 4:37 left in the fourth quarter after he optioned to keep the ball when he saw a crease on the left side of his offensive line and outran Sierra Vista’s defense for the touchdown.
“I felt like everyone connected today, but we still have a lot to clean up, and we’re getting on a roll right now. It’s just a start,” said Duronslet after the game. “We work hard every day, pushing each other to the limit. I love how it’s balanced, I love how everybody eats and gets a touchdown, and that is our goal every week.”
With the win, the Colts improved their record to 2-3 on the 2022 campaign and will look to extend their win streak to three games when they host Montclair on Saturday, October 1st. Sierra Vista sits at 4-2 on the year and look to bounce back on October 6th when they host Glendale.
As of right now Covina would be in division 13! If they win league maybe division 12! This is according to Calpreps rankings!
Was at the game last night , the score is deceiving Covina had no answers for Sierra Vista’s ground and pound offense yes Covina had more talent and is in a much higher division then Sierra Vista … all I can say is keep your eye on that Sierra Vista Team they will go deep in the playoffs…. But that’s what coach C does ……
Adrian Rachal ran the kickoff back.
From T. Peterson: Correct. That’s what he wrote.